White House ballroom construction can continue for now, appeals court says - BERITAJA

Work continues connected the building of the ballroom astatine the White House, Thursday, April 9, 2026, successful Washington, wherever the East Wing erstwhile stood. Rod Lamkey/AP

Rod Lamkey/AP

Construction connected a projected White House ballroom could proceed until April 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Saturday, while the Trump management challenges a little tribunal ruling that ordered a extremity to building because the task lacked legislature approval.

President Trump has been battling a suit brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation successful December to forestall the East Wing ballroom scheme from going forward.

A three-judge sheet ruled 2-1 that the president's scheme for a monolithic neoclassical ballroom could move guardant temporarily arsenic the little tribunal further reviews the case. Saturday's determination gives the management clip to person the Supreme Court measurement successful connected the early of the site.

The appeals tribunal determination stays a March ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, who had ordered that the building must extremity by April 14, "until Congress authorizes its completion."

The management began demolishing the East Wing successful October to make room for the caller ballroom, which is expected to spot 1,000 guests and costs astatine slightest $300 million. Trump has defended the ongoing construction, saying the abstraction is basal to big ample events. Last month, the president based on that halting the ballroom building would airs nationalist information risks, alluding to the beingness of a secure bunker nether the ballroom.

Trump told reporters connected March 29 about his administration's plans to upgrade the FDR-era bunker: "The subject is building a large analyzable nether the ballroom." He added that the ballroom "essentially becomes a shed for what's being built under," adding that the "high-grade bulletproof glass" windows would protect the installation beneath "from drones and … from immoderate different thing."

Construction of the ballroom was approved successful February by the Commission of Fine Arts, a national agency pinch reappraisal authority complete building successful D.C., and made up by a mostly of Trump appointees.

In consequence to Saturday's ruling, Carol Quillen, president and CEO of The National Trust for Historic Preservation, expressed nary concerns that building would proceed for 3 other days. In a statement, the nonprofit said it appreciated the court's swift action and would await further explanation from the territory court.

"The National Trust remains committed to honoring the historical value of the White House, advocating for our corporate domiciled arsenic stewards, and demonstrating really wide consultation, including pinch the American people, results successful a amended wide outcome," Quillen said successful a statement.

Trump management attorneys did not respond to BERITAJA's petition for comment.

BERITAJA's Chloe Veltman contributed to this report.